Disability arts group Shabang! cast into limelight after being nominated for prestigious national award

Founder members of Shabang!, Russ Elias & Kim Reuter as characters from their latest DVD All At Sea, Reg & Bet

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An arts organisation for the disabled has gained national acclaim after being shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Slaithwaite-based Shabang! have been rocketed into the limelight after beating over 20,000 entries to be in with the chance of scooping a gong at The National Diversity Awards.

They were chosen as one of five entries for the community disability category after endorsements from people who had been bowled over by their pioneering approach to engaging those with disabilities by creating fun arts projects.

The London-based award ceremony, which is sponsored by Microsoft, is held to recognise the achievements of grass roots communities who show devotion to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion.

One of the charity’s founder members and musical director, Russ Elias, who is based at The Watershed, said: “ We have been overwhelmed by the number and quality of endorsements Shabang! has received from the families who access our work and the professionals who use our resources.

“It’s thanks to them that we have been short listed. It’s like being given a huge ‘thumbs up.”

They now face an anxious wait until September 26, when they will travel down the glittering ceremony at the Hurlingham Club in London, which is being hosted by TV personality, Brian Dowling, along with 69 other entrants.

Since forming in 1990, the organisation have been putting on drama workshops for youngsters with Down Syndrome and activities for children from pre-school age, as well as creating educational resources with the help of funding from Kirklees Council and other funders.

A mother of one of Shabang!’s younger members, Jenny Green , said: “ I nominated Shabang! because of the unique way they include everybody at their events. All my family love to go. Shabang! do wonderful work locally which deserves to be recognized nationally.”

Brian Dowling, who will return to host the ceremony alongside CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell, said: “I have witnessed the awards go from strength to strength and I am always truly taken back by the humbling and uplifting stories of all the nominees and award winners.”